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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: Can i sue my brother for a percentage of the sale of our dad's house?

My dad died and left his house to my brother. My brother sold the house and didnt give me the money he promised. Am i entitled to percentage of the sale?

Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Mar 5, 2024

I am sorry that you lost your father. I am also sorry that your brother did not keep his promise to you. However, if your father gave his house solely to your brother outright and free of any trust as your brother’s inheritance, then you are not entitled to any proceeds of the sale when your... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: My domestic partner of 15 years justpassed and his daughter who doesn’t even live in this state is taking over my home.

How can I obtain legal rights to stay in my home for 6 mos

Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Jul 5, 2023

I am sorry for your loss. To fully answer your question, an attorney would need some more information like: (1) How was the home titled at your partner's death? (2) Did your partner have a valid estate plan (Will, Trust, etc.) that includes this home and, if so, does that plan spell out any... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Arizona on
Q: Deed has both deceased parents name. Mothers will gives house as living estate to two children. Which proceeds?

Father passed in 2014. Mother passed in 2022.

Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Apr 6, 2023

Assuming AZ house was owned JTWROS between parents, then when dad passed in 2014, the house effectively belonged solely to mother (even though nothing was recorded to reflect that). Then in 2022, the house became part of mother's probate estate. The Will giving the life estate probably governs... View More

4 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Arizona on
Q: Re: A family trust 3 children, trust is to divide equally. In the trust, property is "conveyed' to one son by parents

as his sole and separate property. 3 children are the beneficiary's.

Question: Does "divide equally" mean the son has to buy the home from the trust?

Or, does it mean son gets the home as parents wish and whatever is left in the trust is then divided equally 3 ways?

Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Jan 8, 2020

It is probably in your best interest to show the full trust to an estate planning attorney, because the information provided here seems incomplete. For example, if the trust first says that the house is to be conveyed to the son as his sole an separate property and then later the trust says... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Estate Planning for Arizona on
Q: When does a POA expire? At death?
Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Apr 10, 2019

In addition to the other attorney's response, although by law the power of attorney doesn't necessarily expire, banks and financial institutions are notorious for not honoring powers of attorney that are more than a few years old. In other words, its a good idea to have them... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Arizona on
Q: Is a will or trust preferable to set up when you have assets in excess of $100,000?
Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Oct 20, 2018

This all depends on many factors such as your family makeup/dynamics, the types of assets you have, your health, expected longevity, and who you want to inherit those assets.

A will-based plan can be adequate for some people with even a few hundred thousand in assets depending on...
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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Arizona on
Q: Does it cost money to make an estate plan?
Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Jun 8, 2018

Usually. Even people who take self-help routes will incur fees for form documents or software programs. This is a very important part of life planning for most people. Lots of money and heartache can actually be saved by doing it right. If you want advice to do it right, you will need to work with... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Arizona on
Q: Can my spouse and I jointly title our property instead of doing an estate plan?
Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on May 18, 2018

Besides what my colleague has already said... Estate planning is not just about what happens at the death of one spouse, but also about what happens when the second spouse dies and what happens if either of you become incapacitated. Titling assets jointly covers you for the death of one spouse, but... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Arizona on
Q: Is an out-of-state will valid in Arizona?
Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Apr 20, 2018

If the will was validly created in another state, it will be valid here in Arizona. However, moving to a new state can bring up differences of administration and other things - so it might be worth contacting an Arizona estate planning attorney to review your will and ancillary documents.

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Arizona on
Q: My wife and I live inn Arizona. We both have IRAs . if either one dies does their ira become part of the total estate

We are puting 10% inheritance for our adult children in a will.

Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Mar 29, 2018

If you both name each other as the sole primary beneficiary of your IRAs, then when the first of you dies, that deceased-spouse's IRA will NOT be part of the probate estate, but will pass by operation of law to the designated beneficiary (in this case, the surviving spouse). If that is not... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Probate for Arizona on
Q: dad died 5 ys ago, my sister didnt want the house. how long does she have to come back and want it. I needto refience it

The morgage on it is expiring and I need to put the house in my name and refiance. I have lived here since 1960. all utilites are in my name I pay all the bills house payment and taxes and repaires. How can I put the house in my name.

Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Mar 21, 2018

The answer to this question may be more complex than you were anticipating. I suggest that you contact a probate attorney near you to talk about your options. Among other things, the attorney will want to know if your father had a will that covered this house, how the house was titled, the value of... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: I received a check via private court 3 years ago. Attorney called today asking me to sign a release form, 3 years later?

My Uncle on my mothers side passed away. He had a Will that had my Grandfather listed, but all family passed away except me. I received a check via probate 3 years ago. Today the attorney called me and said I need to sign a release form and they will be mailing more court documents. What is this... View More

Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Mar 5, 2018

It is hard to tell exactly what is going on without more information. I recommend you contact a local probate attorney for more guidance.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Arizona on
Q: How do I find out if my father had a will? My adopted brother says that he is going through probate to get my father's $

My stepmother passed away about a year ago.

Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Jan 5, 2018

If your father made his will in Arizona prior to 1984, then itmight be deposited with the probate registrar in the county where he made that will. For most people however, the best way to find a deceased person's will is to look through the deceased's house, safe deposit box, and storage.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: My mother in law passed away in Sept 2017. She left no will but had property and bank account, her name only.

Her other son is still living in the house all utilities in her name still and is spending the money in her account, he is not a signer on it.

He is not getting her death certificates so we can move forward with probate. What can we do?

Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Dec 30, 2017

You may consider doing two things right away: 1) contact an attorney directly who handles probate, 2) have your husband request the death certificates.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Arizona on
Q: Is a person obligated to accept property left in another's will?

My mother-in-law and my husband (her son, of course) have a very strained relationship, which recently came to a tipping point, thus forcing my husband to sever their relationship. He is the only known beneficiary of his mother's (very small) "estate". Is he obligated, by Arizona... View More

Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Dec 21, 2017

No, a beneficiary is not obligated under Arizona law to accept items left to him/her in a will. And, yes, it is possible to disclaim an inheritance. However, one cannot disclaim a gift or inheritance until the gift or transfer is actually attempted. In the case of inheritance, this is only after... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Arizona on
Q: My husband died 3 years ago and his father just died last month. Am I entitled to his 1/3 of his father's estate?

There was no will and his father lived in Arizona. We also have 3 adult children and 1 minor child. Does this change anything? Are our sons still his grandchildren and receive their dad's portion of the estate? I was my husband next of kin.

Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Dec 15, 2017

When someone dies without a will, they are said to die "intestate." When this happens Arizona's laws of intestacy dictate who will inherit that person's estate. Based on the limited information provided here, in the case of your former father-in-law, unless you bear some other... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: I put a home I inherited in AZ in a trust. How should I insure the home so I don't invalidate the trust?

I am the owner of the trust. If I die I have others listed as trustees. I want to make sure I don't invalidate the trust.

Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Dec 14, 2017

I am answering the question under the following assumptions: (1) your house is properly titled to your trust, (2) your trust has been properly prepared to meet your wishes, and (3) you are the current trustee. If so, then insuring the house is fairly straight forward. Just be sure to contact your... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Arizona on
Q: I have a question about a Trust

My husband and I got a Trust many years ago and we were living in California at the time. Since then my husband passed away (2000) and I moved to Arizona to be near my children. Do I have to do anything to the Trust, now that I live in Arizona?

Thank you for your help.

Ethel

Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Nov 8, 2017

Moving from one state to another does not necessarily mean the trust needs to be updated. That being said, an attorney would need to review the trust and your circumstances before giving any advice as to whether any further action on your part would be needed. I recommend that you contact an estate... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Probate for Arizona on
Q: What are my rights to the property that is owned by my father and stepmother after his death. There is no will.

My father passed earlier this year and left no will. My father jointly owns 13.36 acres with my stepmother, she has two sons with my father. Due to the fact that there is no will do I inherit any of the property and how much?

Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Nov 6, 2017

I apologize for the delay in answering this question. Assuming your step-mother is still alive - If your father owned the property jointly with your step-mother as joint tenants with rights of survivorship, then you will not be entitled to any portion of that property. If your father owned is with... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning for Arizona on
Q: Is the executor of an estate required to provide beneficiaries with financial records at their request?
Marcus N. Seiter
Marcus N. Seiter
answered on Sep 28, 2017

There are very specific legal guidelines that a person must follow when he or she takes on the role of executor (or Personal Representative). One of the requirements is to provide certain notices to beneficiaries. In order to make sure you do not run into legal trouble, I recommend you seek the... View More

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